Cigar and cigarette lighter



March 16, 1954 F, J SCHROEDER 2,672,547

CIGAR AND CIGARETTE LIGHTER Filed NOV. 27, 1950 h INVENTUH RANKJ-SEHHUEDER BY WMM TTURNEY ature rise.

Patented Mar. 16, 1954 UNITED STATE-.s PATENT orifice 2,672,547A e, v,

CIGAR AND` CIGARETTE vLIGHTER Frank J. Schroeder, Rochester,4 N Y Application November 27, 19:50,v serial No.f197,757

ro claims. (ci. 21a-32) Thisv invention relates. toA cigar and cigarette lighters, and. more 'particularly to Alighters employing electric heating units. f f

In "lighters ofthe type described", the temperature of the heating'unit is usually determined by the characteristics oi" the unit',-wlrichv are `so chos'eni as to. reach a temperature at whichy radiation and heat` losses balance the electrical energ-y input;4 vSuch units are relativelyfslow toattain igniting temperature, and to increase the rate `of heating, it Ais, usual to 'permitthe unit to heat to a. temperaturefar beyond that required -for cigarette;lighting.V Further, the'heat and radiation losses Will'A create a temperature rise within ltheV protective casing, 'if energized for a long period, 'causing av further undesirable temper- The operation is such asmay create temperatures difcult-to' enclose satisfactorily within'casings, for example, formedl of various plastics. i

The present invention is' directed` to a heatingv utilization of' 1 a bimetallic contact member adapted to make andf break thev owof current in such manner as to provide a correct average heating'Y effect in` the heating unit.- Also, the invention isfdirected to arelatively simple construction in which the parte are economical to -manuiacture .assemble tand" adjust, and which constructionis safe and. eiectivey to light, cigarettesrwithout; overheating;

The. above, and other novel features of the invention will appear more fully hereinafter from the following, detailed. description when taken Ain .conjunction withl the accompanying drawings. It is expressly. understood that the `drawings are employed for purposes ofY illustration., only and, are notY designed as a definition ",of.the limits of the invention, reference being had" forthis purpose to the appendedelaims'. 'In the drawinga'wherein like reference characters indicate like parts:- c

Figure v1 llongitudinal sectional' view through the invention; 2

l bent aroundthehinge pin 6U- toform Figure 2 is a horizontal broken section taken on the broken line 2;;2' of Figure 1; Y

Figure 3` is a vertical section taken on the line 3-3 of'Figure'l; l

Figure 4e is-a horizontal section' taken sub"- stantially onV the line 4 4 of-Figurel; and

Figure 5 isa section taken on the line 5--5 of Figure 4. l v

Referring to- Figures 1 and 2; there is shown ahollowcasing l! which may be molded or plasf tic orthe like, the same having` a top surface t2 andsidewalls MV andA It, terminatingin a lower reinforcing flange |18. The top' I-21 isprovided with a centralv aperture 2U-for insertionof-ca cigarette or cigar therethrough, whichV aperture may be rectangular or circular; and'- rnay, if desired, be provided with abezel 22' for trim. The casing lilY is molded with integral internal'f spaced columns 24 and 2S on the endwa-lr Ml, and a stepped'shouldery column 28- ontheopposite end wall I6. A central" portion of the col-umnIB provides aninverted support 30l which, together with the ends 32` of: the columns 24*- and- 26;'are adapted toA supportl andv positiony a plated-llv securedd in position-by threaded.x fastenings such as 36' in apertures 38, Vill) and 42-1 The pla-te 3'4 is provided with a tongue IM` at the end4r secured uponfthe central portion 2`9- of the stepped c01- u-mn 28, tting between the extended portions.

Mounted uponI the plate '34 is an inverted2 shallowy ceramic' or' porcelain box 46 whichv is secured to the plate 34 by corner screws 48. Thebox is provded with an aperture 505 in its topi Wall 52 substantially in alignment with the aperture 2t in the-topwalll2 ofthe casing IU The ceramic box-at one end is kprovided withfbo'ss-lilie`v thickened portions Mar-1d 56, in which there are molded slots' 58 to receive a hingeI pin Sr, the hinge pin 69-L being seated against the upper end lof such slots andi' being secured in placev by filling such slots with ceramic cement asv at Sil. Mounted uponthe hinge pin El) is ahinge-like member 62 in' the form ofl al plate, with ears 64 a suitable pivot. l

Tothepl'ate-SZ i's fastened a ceramic electrical heating unit I66" ofthe type having resistance `Wires- 681' embedded therein.` TheV ceramic heatingunit i'n secured to the hinge plate. 6'2" bya pair off spaced elongated screws; 'it'r and 112, which passthrough apertures inthe hinge plate 62, the apertures' being suiiiciently large-so asf not. to makel electrical contact with such screws; Positionedi upon. eaclr of-Lthe screws om either side of 'the-.platefz are a'pair oi'nuts: Mg together with 4insulating, Washersrv 1.62 which 'arefadaptedi to secure the ceramic heating element to the hinge plate 62 in suitably adjusted relationship to the aperture 20 in the ceramic box 46. The screws and 'l2 are electrically connected to the terminal ends of the resistance wire 68, and serve as leads from the ceramic heating unit. Such screws extend through apertures such as 18 in the support plate 34 to a point below the plate.

The screw 10 Ais provided with spaced nuts 80 between which is secured one end of a tension spring 82 extending to a terminal lug 84, the latter being secured to a binding post 88 positioned upon a portion 86 of the column 28 molded integrally with the end wall |6 of the casing I0. The tension spring 82 may serve as an electrical connection between the terminal screw I0 and the binding screw 88 in the manner shown in Figures 4 and 5.

The terminal screw 12 is provided with a ccnvtact `leaf spring 90 having a contact 92 adapted minal port 89, as between insulating washers 93 and 95. and the current caused to travel through a heating resistance wire 99, coiled around the spring but insulated therefrom, the resistance wire being at one end connected to the contact 94, and at the other end with the terminal 89.

The top 52 of the ceramic box 46 is provided with a screw |00 having stop nuts |02 and |04, the latter being locked by a second nut |06. Such nuts are adapted to engage the free end of the ceramic heating unit 66 and limit the hinging `movement of such unit when depressed by the insertion of a cigarette or cigar through the openings and 50, or upon return, by reason of the spring 82. Upon depression of the ceramic lheating unit, causing the same to swing about the hinge pin 60 against the tension of the spring `82, the contact 92 is caused to engage the contact 94, closing an electrical circuitV to cause the ceramic heating element to quickly reach an elevated temperature suillcient to light a cigar or cigarette.

As soon as the current, however, has flowed for a short space of time, the bimetallic strip 96 is caused to heat and bend and thereby open the contacts 92 and 94 and break the circuit. When ythis occurs, the bimetallic strip commences to cool, and again bends back toward its original position, closing the contacts 92 and 94 to thereby cause additional current to flow through the ceramic heating unit. The bimetallic strip is so 'adjusted with respect to the contacts 92 and 94 as to provide an intermittent flow of current to Athe `ceramic/heating unit, the average heating eilect of which maintains a temperature in such i unit sulcient to ignite cigars or cigarettes.

f It will be understood that the ceramic heating vunit acts as a reservoir to store heat generated therein, so that the intermittent i'low of current tends to maintain the heating element at the desired temperature suflicient to ignite a cigar or cigarette, but at the same time, the intermittent -ilow of current, rapidly making and breaking in the manner described, prevents the ceramic heating unitfrom lbecoming overheated or rising to a 9, temperature higher than thatnecessary for the eiiicient lighting of a cigar or cigarette. At the same time, it will be understood that when the circuit is initially closed for the purpose of energizing and heating the ceramic heating unit, the current flow is at a relatively high rate, and quickly, without substantial delay, raises the temperature of the heating unit so that the lighting operation may be effected without the usual delay.

By the use of the intermittent make and break, resulting from the bimetallic strip 96, a high current level may be utilized to initially heat the ceramic heating unit, and thereafter the average ow of current will be reduced by the intermittentilow so that the ceramic heating unit will be maintained at a temperature sufficient to light cigars or cigarettes without becoming heated to fa level far beyond that necessary or desirable for the purpose. 1

It will be observed that the ceramic box-48 is provided with Ventilating openings |08 at either end, and that clearance is provided between the top 52 Vof the ceramic box and the top |2 of Athe casing |0, so that air is free to circulatethrough the various openings for the purpose of ventilating the parts and preventing overheating. In addition, there is positioned upon the plate 34, within the box, an asbestos pad ||0 which is adapted to prevent heat from the ceramic heating unit from eiecting the operation of the bimetallic strip 96, it being desirable that such strip be only effected by the iiow of current therethrough at such time as the contacts 92 'and 94 are closed. The contacts `and 94, as well as the spring 82, may be enclosed for protective purposes by the hat section member ||2, such member having side flanges ||4 and ||6 adapted to be secured by the threaded fastenings 48.

The casing |0 may have corner feet ||8 and the base ange |8 may be provided Witha resilient rubber or plastic-ferrule |20 through which the electrical cord |22 extends, the ferrule being feathered as at |24 to provide protection` against strain at the point the electrical lead enters the casing |0. v

It will be appreciated that the contacts 92 and 94 may be adjusted by means of the nuts |26 on the screw 12, it merely being necessary to move the leaf spring 90 up or down in orderto yary the spacing of the contacts 92 and .94. In practice, it will be found desirableto adjust the spacing so as to provide a make and break period sufficient to establish a ilow of current -through the ceramic heating unit suiilcient to maintain the average temperature thereof at approximately the optimum for the lighting of cigars and cigarettes whenever the ceramic unit is vdepressed by a cigar or cigarette from above. It

will also be observed that the `mounting of the.

contact leaf 90 below the hinge pin 60provides in eiect a wiping contact with the contactf94, and that the bimetallic strip 96 may be provided with a slotted hole 91 in its mounting or binding post 89 whereby accurate adjustment ofthe contacts relative to one another may be had.

Although a single embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, itisto be 'understood that the invention is not limited thereto. As various changes in the construction' and arrangement may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, as Willsbe apparent to those skilled.. inthe art, reference will be had tothe appended claims fora denition of the limits or the invention;-` 1 v unit for breaking said contacts after a predetermined interval of time sufficient to elevate the temperature of said unit substantially above the igniting temperature, and re-closing said contacts after a further interval of time prior to cooling of said unit below the igniting temperature.

7. In a cigarette lighter, a casing having an access aperture therein, a movable cigarette igniting unit, said unit acting as a reservoir to store heat generated therein, and being adapted when energized to quickly heat to a temperature above the igniting temperature of cigarettes and cigars, mounted within said casing and adjacent said aperture, a heat insulating housing for said unit, having an opening therein aligned with said access aperture, means for limiting movement of said unit and for biasing said unit for movement `toward said opening vand aperture, contact members outside of said housing carried by said unit and casing including contacts for closing a circuit and energizing said unit upon movement of said unit against said biasing means, and resistance heating means in circuit with said contacts entirely independent of said unit responsive to the flow of current therethrough, and means acting in response to the heating and cooling of said resistance heating means for breaking said contacts after a predetermined interval of time sufilcient to elevate the temperature of said unit substantially above the igniting temperature, yand `closing said contacts after a further interval of time prior to cooling of said unit below the igniting temperature.

8. In a cigarette lighter, a casing having an access aperture therein, a movable cigarette igniting unit, said unit acting as a reservoir to store heat generated therein, and being adapted when energized to quickly heat to a temperature above the igniting temperature of cigarettes and cigars, mounted within said casing and adjacent said aperture, means for limiting movement of said unit and for biasing said unit for movement `toward said aperture, contact members carried by said unit and casing including contacts for closing a circuit and energizing said unit upon movement of said unit against said biasing means, and bimetallic strip means supporting one of said contacts responsive to the resistance to the iiow of current therethrough and through said contacts for breaking said contacts after a predetermined interval of time suflicient to elevate the temperature of said unit substantially -above the igniting temperature, and closing said contacts after a further interval of time prior to cooling of said unit below the igniting temperature.

9. In a cigarette lighter, a casing having an access aperture therein, a movable cigarette igniting unit, said unit acting as a reservoir to store heat generated therein, and being adapted when energized to quickly heat to a temperature above the igniting temperature of cigarettes and cigars, mounted within said casing and adjacent said aperture, a heat insulating housing for said unit, having an opening therein aligned with said aperture, means for limiting movement of said unit and for biasing said unit for movement toward said aperture, contact members carried by said unit and casing outside said housing and including contacts for closing a circuit and energizing said unit upon movement of said unit against said biasing means, and bimetallic strip means supporting one of said contacts responsive to the resistance to the ilow of current therethrough and through said contacts for breaking said contacts after a predetermined interval of time suil'lcient to elevate the temperature of said unit substantially above the igniting temperature, and closing said contacts after a further interval of time prior to cooling of said unit below the igniting temperature.

10. In a cigar lighter, an open bottom casing, an aperture in the top wall thereof for projecting a cigarette or cigar therethrough, a transverse support member in the form of a plate arranged within the casing and below said aper-A ture, an inverted shallow ceramic shell mounted above said plate and below said aperture, and having an aperture in the top Wall thereof aligned with said iirst-named aperture, a resistance heating unit, said unit acting as a reservoir to store heat generated therein, and being adapted when energized to quickly heat to a temperature above the igniting temperature of cigarettes and cigars, hingedly mounted on a substantially horizontal axis within said shell and below said apertures, a contact member including a contact carried by said heating unit and hinging therewith, a bimetallic heat-sensitive resistance contact member including a contact carried by sai-i casing and adapted tocontact said heating unit contact upon downward movement thereof in response to the pressure of the end of a cigarette or cigar projected through said apertures, and a circuit for energizing said heating unit, including said contact members and said bimetallic member, said bimetallic member being adapted to be heated by current flow therethrough to thereby open said contacts upon the flow of current suflicent to elevate the temperature of said unit substantially above the igniting temperature, and to close said contacts before the temperature of said unit drops below said igniting temperature. whereby overheating of said unit is prevented by intermittent flow of current to said heating unit.

FRANK J. SCHROEDER.

References Cited in the ille of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 383,611 Beleld May 29, 1888 496,103 Smith Apr. 25, 1893 1,844,206 Copeland Feb. 9, 1932 2,251,611 Johnson Aug. 5, 1941 2,516,843 Bakst et al Aug. 1, 1950 2,528,500 Davis Nov. 7, 1950 2,537,710 Schroeder Jan. 9, 1951 2,605,380 Bauman et al July 29, 1952 

